Birth Date: November 17, 1944
Death Date: March 30, 2018
Aron Hershel Hoffman passed away peacefully on March 30th at Mission Hospice House in San Mateo with his loving family by his side. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a mere 6 weeks earlier. He was 73.
Born in the East Bay in 1944 to Ben and Sylvia Hoffman, Aron grew up exploring his hometown of Oakland - walking the hills and often riding his bike over to the busy train yards at the Port of Oakland, where he would develop a life-long love of trains. Aron had early and fond memories accompanying his father all over the Bay Area to visit project sites for the family company, Golden Gate Iron Works (the fact that his Grandfather Charles Hoffman had fabricated the iron gates outside the San Francisco Opera House was a particular source of pride). On these visits with his father, Aron began to develop a deep curiosity, a strong sense for numbers, a collaborative style, and an aptitude for big-picture thinking that would characterize the rest of his professional life as an Accountant and Public Servant.
Aron met his beloved wife Linda in San Francisco during an audit and after a few months they were married for the next 48 blissful years. Soon after marrying, Aron and Linda started their family on the Peninsula, living first in Burlingame before settling in San Mateo where Aron opened his own accounting practice. He had an infectious love for his home state and for the open road, often heading out alone or with family and friends on extensive drives to explore the coast or mountain passes. As his life unfolded, he traveled more widely with his family and friends; around the United States and to Asia, Europe and South America. A deeply engaging and curious person, Aron was consistently striking up conversations and offering people thoughtful advice if they ask for it. He especially liked to share his love of golden retrievers and model trains (he designed and built an extensive train room in his home that he loved to share, especially with his grandsons). He had an excellent sense of humor and loved a good laugh.
Aron's commitment to his community was a constant hallmark throughout his life. He sat on the boards of numerous local organizations, was a committed Rotarian, was elected to San Mateo City Council and was the Mayor in 1984 and 1985. His long-standing work with the J.H. Robbins Foundation, helping support and develop non-profit programs that directly enrich the lives of people in the immediate community was always a particular point of pride and joy for Aron.
His legacy is being sustained and carried forward by his beloved family. He is survived by his wife, Linda Hoffman, their daughters, Dawniele Neese and her husband Greg Neese, Stephanie Worden and her husband Ethan Worden, his grandsons, Tobin, Easton, Elliot and Noah, as well as his sisters, Bobbie Rose and Kathy Getz.
Aron passed away peacefully on March 30th at Mission Hospice House in San Mateo with his loving family by his side. Aron's private burial was on April 10th at a site overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a stand of coastal redwood trees, particular favorites of his. A celebration of Aron's life will be held on May 21st at 11:00 A.M at Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Aron's private burial was on April 10th at a site overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a stand of coastal redwood trees, particular favorites of his.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mission Hospice of San Mateo or Police Athletic League of San Mateo (PAL).